Method and Apparatus for Providing Wireless Communications Within a Building

ABSTRACT

A wireless distribution secured cabling system includes faceplates, each of which contains an antenna or other radiating element and an active amplifier, which serves as a bi-directional repeater for the wireless communication system. The system further includes a patch panel or distribution module which connects multiple cables, which may be either twisted pair or coaxial, to amplifier, acting as a power divider and/or an impedance matching device. An antenna, which may be mounted either outside of a building structure or inside the building structure, provides communications between the structured cabling system and a service provider base station.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. non-provisional applicationSer. No. 12/566,713, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,325,691, which relates to andclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.61/194,325, filed Sep. 26, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing wirelesscommunications within a building. The demand for wireless communicationshas grown substantially over the past few years, primarily because itenables users to communicate over a wide range of locations. This demandhas been met in part by the placement of numerous cellular towers aroundthe country. However, wireless communication within a building oftendoes not work well, notwithstanding the existence of numerous towersoutside of the building. One problem encountered by wirelesscommunication systems within a building is the obstruction of andinterference with the wireless signal. Physical structures, such asconcrete block walls, metal covered wall insulation, and electromagneticdevices such as cordless phones and microwave ovens, can cause awireless signal to fade. U.S. Pat. No. 7,406,300 to Pan notes thepopularity and increased capability of wireless communication apparatus,noting that such apparatus offer voice, data and video communicationcapabilities to cell phones, personal digital assistants and lap topcomputers that are carried by individuals. However, according to U.S.Pat. No. 7,406,300 to Pan, a limitation on such communications has beenthe difficulty in obtaining signal within a structure such, as aresidential home, for example. Among the factors contributing to thisdifficulty is the inherently limited radio frequency (RF) coverage inand around building structures on account of the metallic content of abuilding structure that can provide an RF block or otherwise interferewith adequate signal transmission. For example, the siding on theexterior of the building, the insulation, or window treatments mayinclude metal or foil, which, reduces RF coverage within the buildingstructure. Additionally, the various metal objects and the structure ofthe internal walls, for example, in many cases prevent adequate interiorRF coverage so that individually carried cell phones, personal digitalassistants and lap top computers cannot consistently receive or transmita signal at the full range of desired user locations within the buildingstructure.

One known technique for providing RF coverage within buildings calls fora repeater antenna to be located on a suitable signal reception such asa rooftop or tower. The repeater captures an outside RF signal, booststhe signal, and directs the boosted signal towards buildings. However,the metallic content of a building structure may interfere with thedirected RF signal. The resulting coverage within the building is thusunpredictable. Factors such as a call location inside the building, thebuilding location relative to the serving base station location,building construction, repeater site location, and orientation of therepeater antennas can influence and render unpredictable the RF signalcapability within the building.

Another known technique for providing RF coverage within buildings callsfor inside and outside repeater antennas to bypass building penetrationlosses, uses an outside antenna to capture macrocell RF signals, a coaxcable to bypass building penetration losses, a repeater for signalboosting, and one or more inside antennas to create inside RF coveragewhere desired. The outside antenna may be installed on a rooftoppointing at the serving macrocell, a long coax cable connected to theoutside antenna brings the RF signal inside, and a repeater boosts thesignal and feeds one or more inside antennas. The set up of a dedicatednetwork of inside antennas involves the installation of cabling andassociated hardware and this can amount to an overly expensive approachfor improving RF signal coverage within a building.

Thus, there is a need for an improved method and apparatus for providingwireless communications within a building. Such an improved method andapparatus will preferably provide RF coverage within a buildingstructure facilitating communication between an external RF source andwireless communication apparatus such as cell phones, personal digitalassistants and lap top computers that are carried by individuals whileimproving the optimization of existing systems within the building thatcan assist in receiving and transmitting RF signals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a transmission system distributes a combination oftransmitted signals within a building structure via a commontransmission path and includes at least one wall outlet assemblyreceiving a plurality of transmitted signals within the buildingstructure. The plurality of transmitted signals includes at least onewireless bridging signal and a task signal transmitted simultaneouslyvia the common transmission path. The wall outlet assembly has at leasta first diplexer connected to the wall outlet assembly, and the diplexeris divides the bridging signal into uplink and downlink channels fortransmission to and from the building structure. The system incorporatesa first amplifier connected to the first diplexer, and the amplifierboosts uplink and downlink signal strengths for establishingcommunications in an appropriate direction via the common transmissionpath.

In another embodiment, a transmission system distributes wirelesscommunications signals within a building structure via a pre-existingcable television transmission path in the building. The transmissionsystem includes a distribution module receiving at least one wirelessbridging signal and at least one television signal. At least one walloutlet assembly connects to a distribution module via a televisionsignal transmission cable. The transmission cable transmits at least onebridging signal simultaneously with at least one television signal fromthe distribution module to the wall outlet assembly. The wall outletassembly includes at least a first diplexer connected to the wall outletassembly, and the diplexer divides the bridging signal into uplink anddownlink channels for transmission to and from the building structure.The system includes a first amplifier connected to the first diplexer,wherein the amplifier boosts uplink and downlink signal strengths forestablishing communications in an appropriate direction via thetelevision signal transmission cable. The distribution moduleincorporates a filter preventing the television signal from beingdirected into an operating band of the uplink and downlink channels.

In yet another embodiment, a transmission system distributes wirelesscommunications signals within a building structure via a pre-existingcable television transmission path in the building and includes adistribution module receiving at least one wireless bridging signal andat least one television signal. At least one wall outlet assemblyconnects to the distribution module via a television signal transmissioncable, and the transmission cable transmits at least one bridging signalsimultaneously with at least one television signal from the distributionmodule to the wall outlet assembly. The wall outlet assembly includes atleast a first diplexer connected to the wail outlet assembly. Thediplexer divides the bridging signal into uplink and downlink channelsfor transmission to and from the building structure and a firstamplifier connected to the first diplexer. The amplifier boosts uplinkand downlink signal strengths for establishing communications in anappropriate direction via the television signal transmission cable. Thedistribution module comprises a filter preventing the television signalfrom being directed into an operating band of the uplink and downlinkchannels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the present invention is now described with referenceto the following figures of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an arrangement for implementingthe method of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention and showing the communication system of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the communicationsystem shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 a is an enlarged perspective view of the distribution module andthe wall outlet assemblies of the communication system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 b is a perspective view of a pair of distribution modules andtheir associated wall outlet assemblies of the communication system;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of one of the wall outletassemblies shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a printed circuit board foroperation with the wall outlet assembly shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic printed circuit representation of a DC powerinjector component or operation with the wall outlet assembly shown inFIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of the arrangement including thewall outlet assembly having the DC power injector shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a schematic printed circuit representation of a TV injectorfor operation with the wall outlet assembly shown in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of an arrangement for acommunication system in accordance with the present invention having aplurality of wall outlets having TV injectors.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

According to the present invention, there is provided a communicationsystem, including a lightning protection element, a distribution module,a plurality of wall outlet assemblies, and a plurality of conduit stems.Each conduit stem is connected to a respective wall outlet assembly andis operable to carry signals between the respective wall outlet assemblyand a location at which the distribution module obtains the signals. Thedistribution module and each wall outlet assembly have an operatingrelationship between each other such that both a bridging signal and aseparate task signal can be carried between the distribution module andthe respective wall outlet assembly with the particular signal beingcarried on the respective conduit stem connected to the wall outletassembly. The distribution module and the lightning protection elementare operatively connected to one another such that bridging signals passtherebetween. The lightning protection element is operable to transmitor receive wireless signals.

Each wall outlet assembly has a capability to transmit a wireless signalto, or receive a wireless signal from, a wireless signal device and, inthe event that the wall outlet assembly transmits a wireless signal, thewall outlet assembly generates the wireless signal in response to abridging signal provided to the wall outlet assembly via thedistribution module. In the event that the wall outlet assembly receivesa wireless signal, the wall outlet assembly sends a correspondingbridging signal long its conduit to ultimately reach the distributionmodule. Each wall outlet assembly has an access portion for accessbetween the wall outlet assembly and a separate task executing devicesuch that separate task signals can be passed between the wall outletassembly and the separate task executing device.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the communicationsystem includes a direct current (DC) power injector componentoperatively coupled to the distribution module for processing bothseparate task signals in the form of DC power signals and bridgingsignals such that the DC power signals and the bridging signals areisolated from one another during their transmission to a wall outletassembly.

According to a feature of the one aspect of the present invention, thedirect current (DC) power injector component of the communication systemincludes a signal input arrangement for accepting for processing DCpower signals transmitted by a power supply and bridging signalstransmitted by the distribution module.

According to another feature of the one aspect of the present invention,the communication system further includes a signal output arrangementfor distribution of combined DC power signals and bridging signals tothe wall outlet assemblies.

According to yet another feature of the one aspect of the presentinvention, the DC power injector component of the communication systemincludes at least one filter arrangement for isolating DC power signalsfrom the bridging signals.

According to yet another additional feature of the one aspect of thepresent invention, the communication system includes at least one filterarrangement which includes an inductor or high frequency filteringmechanism.

According to another further feature of the one aspect of the presentinvention, the communication system includes at least one filterarrangement which includes a high frequency choke.

According to still yet another feature of the one aspect of the presentinvention, the DC power injector component of the communication systemis configured for receiving, processing, and distributing DC powersignals and bridging signals while preventing contamination of the DCpower signals and the bridging signals with one another via operation ofa filter operatively disposed between a signal input arrangement forreceiving the DC power signals and the bridging signals and a signaloutput arrangement for transmission of the DC power signals and thebridging signals.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the distributionmodule of the communication system includes a first signal power boosterfor increasing the power of bridging signals on a first frequency bandreceived from the lightning protection element.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, thedistribution module of the communication system includes a second signalpower booster for increasing the power of bridging signals on a secondfrequency band received from the lightning protection element.

According to still yet another aspect of the present invention, thedistribution module of the communication system includes a first signalpower booster for increasing the power of bridging signals on a firstfrequency band received from the lightning protection element, a secondsignal power booster for increasing the power of bridging signals on asecond frequency band received from the lightning protection element,and an isolating device for isolating the first signal power booster andthe second signal power booster from one another.

According to a feature of the one aspect of the present invention, theisolating device of the communication system includes a diplexer havinga common input port and a pair of output ports. The common input port ofthe diplexer is operable to receive both bridging signals on the firstfrequency band and bridging signals on the second frequency band. One ofthe pair of output ports is operable to permit bridging signals on thefirst frequency band to exit the diplexer but not bridging signals onthe second frequency band. The other of the pair of output ports isoperable to permit bridging signals on the second frequency band to exitthe diplexer but not bridging signals on the first frequency band.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, thelightning protection element of the communication system is an antennaoperable to receive and transmit wireless signals. The distributionmodule is a patch panel. Each of the conduit stems interconnects thepatch panel and a wall outlet assembly and is formed of a twisted wirepair.

According to another additional aspect of the present invention, thelightning protection element of the communication system is an antennaoperable to receive and transmit wireless signals. The distributionmodule is a patch panel. Each of the conduit stems interconnects thepatch panel and a wall outlet assembly and is formed of a coaxial cable.

According to yet another additional aspect of the present invention, thelightning protection element of the communication system is an antennaoperable to receive and transmit wireless signals. Each of the conduitstems interconnects the distribution module and a wall outlet assembly,and is formed of a twisted wire pair or a coaxial cable. At least one ofthe wall outlet assemblies is powered via a power source that suppliespower to the wall outlet assembly independently of the respectiveconduit stem connected to the wall outlet assembly.

According to still yet another additional aspect of the presentinvention, the communication system includes the lightning protectionelement which is an antenna operable to receive and transmit wirelesssignals. Each of the conduit stems interconnects the distribution moduleand a wall outlet assembly and is formed of a twisted wire pair or acoaxial cable. At least one of the wall outlet assemblies is powered viaa power source that supplies power to the wall outlet assembly via therespective conduit stem connected to the wall outlet assembly.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, thecommunication system includes the lightning protection element which isan antenna operable to receive and transmit wireless signals. Each ofthe conduit stems interconnects the distribution module and a walloutlet assembly. At least one of the wall outlet assemblies includes afirst signal power booster for increasing the power of bridging signals.

According to one feature of the further aspect of the present invention,the at least one of the wall outlet assemblies of the communicationsystem includes a first diplexer operatively connected with the firstsignal power booster.

According to another feature of the further aspect of the presentinvention, the at least one of the wall outlet assemblies of thecommunication system includes a second signal power booster forincreasing the power of bridging signals and a second diplexeroperatively connected with the second signal power booster.

According to another additional feature of the further aspect of thepresent invention, the at least one of the wall outlet assemblies of thecommunication system includes a resistive trimming function for manuallyadjusting an output power of a signal processed by one of the associatedpairs of the first signal power booster and the first diplexer and thesecond signal booster and the second diplexer.

According to another further aspect of the present invention, thecommunication system further includes a television (TV) injectorcomponent operatively coupled to the distribution module for processingboth separate task signals in the form of DC power signals and bridgingsignals such that the DC power signals and the bridging signals areisolated from one another during their transmission to a wall outletassembly.

According to one feature of the another further aspect of the presentinvention, the TV injector component of the communication systemincludes a signal input arrangement for accepting TV signals from acable TV signal distribution assembly and bridging signals transmittedby the distribution module.

According to another feature of the another further aspect of thepresent invention, the communication system further includes a signaloutput arrangement for distribution of combined TV signals and bridgingsignals to a cable-based TV signal distribution system.

According to yet another feature of the another further aspect of thepresent invention, the wail outlet assembly system includes the TVinjector component which is configured to combine the TV signals and thebridging signals for transmission to the wall outlet assemblies.

According to still yet another feature of the another further aspect ofthe present invention, the communication system includes the bridgingsignals which are associated with predetermined frequencies and the TVinjector component includes at least one filter arrangement for removingTV signals that may be present on the bridging signal frequencies.

According to an additional feature of the another further aspect of thepresent invention, the bridging signals of the communication system areassociated with predetermined frequencies and the TV injector componentincludes a plurality of filter arrangements for rejecting TV signalsthat may be present on the bridging signal frequencies.

According to an attribute of the additional feature of the anotherfurther aspect of the present invention, the communication systemincludes at least one of the plurality of filter arrangements whichincludes a low-pass filter circuit.

According to another additional feature of the another further aspect ofthe present invention, the communication system further includes asignal power booster for increasing the power of the bridging signalsoperatively coupled to the TV injector component and the TV injectorcomponent includes at least one filter circuit for preventing the TVsignals from being directed into an operating band of the signal powerbooster.

According to yet another additional feature of the another furtheraspect of the present invention, the TV injector component of thecommunication system is configured for receiving, processing, anddistributing a plurality of TV signals and the bridging signals whilepreventing contamination of the TV signals and the bridging signals withone another via operation of a filter operatively disposed between asignal input arrangement for receiving the TV signals and the bridgingsignals and a signal output arrangement for distribution of the TVsignals and the bridging signals.

According to still yet another additional feature of the another furtheraspect of the present invention, the communication system includes atleast one wall outlet assembly which includes a filter arrangement fordiscerning TV signals and bridging signals for selective dissemination.

According to yet another further aspect of the present invention, thewall outlet assembly includes a signal handling element, a regionalantenna, and an access portion. The wall outlet assembly is connectableto a conduit stem that is operable to carry signals between the walloutlet assembly and a location at which a distribution module of acommunication system obtains the signals. The signal handling element isoperable in coordination with the distribution module such that both abridging signal and a separate task signal can be carried between thedistribution module and the signal handing element with the distributionmodule further forwarding bridging signals to a lightning protectionelement of the communication system or further forwarding bridgingsignals to the signal handling element. The signal handling element isoperable to handle bridging signals derived from wireless signalsreceived by the lightning protection element and further forwarded tothe signal handling element by the distribution module as bridgingsignals. The antenna is operable to transmit a wireless signal to, orreceive a wireless signal from, a wireless signal device. In the eventthat the wall outlet assembly transmits a wireless signal, the walloutlet assembly generates the wireless signal in response to a bridgingsignal provided to the wall outlet assembly via the distribution module,and, in the event that the wall outlet assembly receives a wirelesssignal, the wall outlet assembly sends a corresponding bridging signalalong its conduit to ultimately reach the distribution module. Theaccess portion provides access between the wall outlet assembly and aseparate task executing device such that separate task signals can bepassed between the wall outlet assembly and the separate task executingdevice.

According to still yet another further aspect of the present invention,the communication port includes a conduit stem and a wall outletassembly. The wall outlet assembly includes a signal handling element.The present invention also includes a regional antenna and an accessportion. The wall outlet assembly is connected to the conduit stem andthe conduit stem is operable to carry signals between the wall outletassembly and a location at which a distribution module of acommunication system obtains the signals. The signal handling element isoperable in coordination with the distribution module such that both abridging signal and a separate task signal can be carried between thedistribution module and the signal handing element with the distributionmodule further forwarding bridging signals to a lightning protectionelement of the communication system or further forwarding bridgingsignals to the signal handling element. The signal handling element isoperable to handle bridging signals derived from wireless signalsreceived by the lightning protection element and further forwarded tothe signal handling element by the distribution module as bridgingsignals.

The antenna is operable to transmit a wireless signal to, or receive awireless signal from, a wireless signal device. In the event that thewall outlet assembly transmits a wireless signal, the wall outletassembly generates the wireless signal in response to a bridging signalprovided to the wall outlet assembly via the distribution module, and,in the event that the wall outlet assembly receives a wireless signal,the wall outlet assembly sends a corresponding bridging signal along itsconduit to ultimately reach the distribution module. The access portionprovides access between the wall outlet assembly and a separate taskexecuting device such that separate task signals can be passed betweenthe wall outlet assembly and the separate task executing device.

FIG. 1 shows the overall basic architecture of a wireless distributionsecured cabling system 10. The wireless distribution secured cablingsystem not only supports cellular service provider communications, butalso supports other wireless technologies such as local area wirelessnetworks, including networks governed by IEEE 802.11 Wireless LANs. Asseen in FIG. 1, the wireless distribution secured cabling system 10includes faceplates 12, each of which contains an antenna or otherradiating element and an active amplifier 14, which serves as abi-directional repeater for the wireless communication system. Thesystem further includes a patch panel or distribution module 16 whichconnects multiple cables, which may be either twisted pair or coaxial,to amplifier 14, acting as a power divider and/or an impedance matchingdevice.

Antenna 18, which may be mounted either outside of a building structure20 or inside the building structure, is provided. An antenna 18 providescommunications between the structured cabling system and a serviceprovider base station, whereby the structured cabling system providesimproved service for the wireless user. While the antenna 18 may bemounted inside building structure 20, its overall purpose is to provideprimary communications between the patch panel 16 and the externalservice provider, such as a cellular phone service provider.

The cabling between patch panel 16 and the faceplates 12 already existsin most buildings and, as previously indicated, may be coaxial ortwisted pair in nature. Patch panel 16 may perform the functionality ofconverting the coaxial connection to the active repeater from unbalancedto balanced cabling systems (coaxial and twisted pair respectively).Faceplates 12 contain an antenna element for providing improved localwireless coverage for regions 22 which are in close proximity to eachfaceplate's installed location and may be fed by either balanced orunbalanced cabling from patch panel 16.

Patch panel 16 and the faceplates 12 may be installed as a retrofit toleverage existing installed structured cabling systems whereby theactive hardware is contained within one (1) enclosure which providesconnectivity on a port per port basis to a second patch panel,configured for such applications as data cabling. The faceplates 12 withthe antenna elements may replace a previously installed data jack in anexisting structured cabling system.

With reference now to FIG. 2, one embodiment of the communication systemof the present invention is illustrated that represents animplementation of the wireless distribution secured cabling system 10described with respect to FIG. 1. As seen in FIG. 2, a communicationsystem 100 includes a lightning protection element in the form of anantenna 118, a distribution module in the form of a patch panel 116, anda plurality of wall outlet assemblies 112. Each wall outlet assemblycomprises components that, as hereinafter disclosed in more detail,provide improved local wireless coverage for regions within a buildingstructure, such as a building 120 having a plurality of regions 122illustrated in FIG. 2, and, in selected circumstances, a wall outletassembly may include a structural component conventionally known as a“faceplate” that operates as a cover or a facade on a wall outletassembly installed, for example, through an opening in an interior wallof a building structure. Solely for the purposes of definition withinthis disclosure, each wall outlet assembly 112 generally corresponds tothe faceplate described with respect to FIG. 1, it being understood thatthe respective wall outlet assembly comprises components that provideimproved local wireless coverage for regions within a building structureand that the wall outlet assembly may or may not additionally include astructural component conventionally known as a “faceplate” that operatesas a cover or a facade on the wall outlet assembly.

Each wall outlet assembly 112 is provided with an active power booster114, illustrated in FIG. 5, that serves as a bi-directional repeater forthe communication system 100. The external antenna 118 may be, forexample, an external antenna operated by a cellular telephone serviceprovider and is located externally to a building 120. The building 120can be, for example, a residential home, an office building, a factory,or any other structure in which it is desired to enhance the ability ofpersons in the building structure to receive and transmit wirelesssignals.

With reference now to FIG. 3, which is an enlarged perspective view ofone of the wall outlet assemblies 112 mounted in a respective region 122of the building 120 in which it is desired to receive and transmitwireless signals, the wall outlet assembly 112 is fixedly mounted to aan interior vertical wall 124 of the building 120. The illustrated walloutlet assembly 112 comprises a cover or “facade” and the wall outletassembly is mounted such that the “facade” thereof is disposed outwardlyof the interiorly facing surface of the interior vertical wall 124 thatforms together with other interior walls a respective room of thebuilding 120 in which the respective region 122 is located. A conduitstem in the form of a coaxial cable 126 is operatively connected to thewall outlet assembly 112 and is connected, as well, to the patch panel116. The coaxial cable 126 is operable to carry bridging signals andseparate task signals between the wall outlet assembly 112 and the patchpanel 116.

As seen in FIG. 3, the patch panel 116 can be located in the interior ofthe building structure 120 such as, for example, at a location at whichthe patch panel 116 is supported on a horizontally extending shelf 128.Alternatively, the patch panel 116 can be located in a purpose-builtcabinet, relay rack, equipment rack, or other structure in the building120 or, moreover, can be located in a separately standing structure thatis within the vicinity of the building 120.

The patch panel 116 and each of the wall outlet assemblies 112 has anoperating relationship such that both a bridging signal and a separatetask signal can be carried between the patch panel 116 and therespective wall outlet assembly 112 with the particular respectivesignal being carried on the respective conduit stem (i.e., the coaxialcable 126) connected to the respective wall outlet assembly 112. Thepatch panel 116 and the external antenna 118 are operatively connectedto one another such that bridging signals pass therebetween. Also, thepatch panel 116 is operatively connected to a device such as, forexample, a separate task signal transmitter or receiver which is shownmerely for exemplary purposes herein as a CATV signal generator 154 inthe form of a set box that is operable to provide CATV signals to thepatch panel 116. The CATV signals received by the patch panel 116 arefurther transmitted as separate task signals via the coaxial cables 126to the wall outlet assemblies 112, whereat one or more separatetask-executing devices receive the separate task signals from these walloutlet assemblies 112, as will be described in more detail below.

The external antenna 118 is operable to transmit or receive wirelesssignals. Each wall outlet assembly 112 has a capability to transmit awireless signal to or receive a wireless signal from, a wireless signaldevice which may be in the form, for example, of a hand-held cellulartelephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or any other deviceoperable to transmit and/or receive wireless signals. In the event thatthe wall outlet assembly 112 transmits a wireless signal, the walloutlet assembly generates the wireless signal in response to a bridgingsignal provided to the wall outlet assembly via the patch panel 116. Inthe event that the wall outlet assembly 112 receives a wireless signal,the wall outlet assembly sends a corresponding bridging signal along itsconduit stem (i.e., along the respective connected coaxial cable 126) toultimately reach the patch panel 116.

Each wall outlet assembly 112 has an access portion for access betweenthe wall outlet assembly 112 and a separate task-executing device suchthat separate task signals can be passed between the wall outletassembly 112 and the separate task-executing device. With reference toFIG. 5, the wall outlet assembly 112 illustrated therein has an accessportion 130 configured as a conventional CATV outlet via which a CATVinput or output cable of, for example, a CATV Monitor 132 (shown in FIG.4 a) can be operatively coupled to the wall outlet assembly 112.

With reference now to FIG. 6, which is a schematic representation of aprinted circuit board 114, the printed circuit board 114 is fixedlymounted in an outlet housing 134, shown in FIG. 5, and is covered by a“facade” cover 136. The printed circuit board 114 is provided withseveral capabilities to handle a radio frequency (RF) wireless signal.The printed circuit board 114 includes a multiplexer in the form of afirst diplexer 138 that is operatively connected with a first signalpower booster 140 that is operable to boost bridging signals. Theprinted circuit board 114 also includes a second diplexer 142operatively connected with a second signal power booster 144. Each walloutlet assembly 112 is provided with a regional antenna 146 that isoperatively connected to the respective coaxial cable 126 of the walloutlet assembly. An RF signal received by the wall outlet assembly 112is broken up into two channels—an uplink from the respective wirelessdevice to the external antenna 118 and a downlink comprised ofcommunications from the external antenna 118 to the wireless device. Thefirst diplexer 138 and the second diplexer 142 direct the RF signals ofthe uplink and the downlink channels such that these RF signals areboosted in the appropriate direction.

Specifically, the RF signal in the downlink channel is boosted such thata greater signal is incident upon a respective regional antenna 146operatively connected to each respective wall outlet assembly 112 and anRF signal in the uplink channel is boosted in the direction from therespective regional antenna 146 toward the external antenna 118. Thefirst power booster 140 and the second signal power booster 144cooperate with the respective associated diplexer to boost the RF signalin the uplink and downlink channels in the appropriate direction. Thewall outlet assembly 112 also has a resistive trimming function suchthat the output power of either RF signals in the uplink channel or REsignals in the downlink channel can be adjusted. Other filteringmechanisms can be used in combination to separate signals at the walloutlet assembly 112 as well.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, thecommunication system 100 may include sub-circuitry to automaticallyattenuate and limit the radio frequency (RF) power to multiple panelsconnected in series. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 b, a plurality ofpatch panels 116 can be provided and connected in series with oneanother in a “daisy-chain” manner with a respective one of the patchpanels 116 being operatively coupled to the external antenna 118 via,for example, a cable 148. The next patch panel 116—i.e., a “slave” patchpanel—in the series is then coupled to the “master” or “home” patchpanel 116 and can receive bridging signals from the “home” patch panel116 provided along a branch cable 150. An automated attenuator 152 isoperatively coupled to this next patch panel 116 to automaticallyattenuate and limit RE power transmitted from the “home” patch panel 116such that a maximum power transmission load can be controlled via thisprocess.

With reference now to FIGS. 7 and 8, the active faceplate system can beenhanced with a direct current (DC) power injector capability. Aplurality of active wall outlet assemblies 112 are operatively connectedto a controlled distribution panel (CDC) 116. A direct current (DC)power injector sub-system 260 includes a direct current (DC) powerinjector component 262. With the present DC power injector capability,both wireless communications signals and DC power may be distributed tothe active faceplates over a common carrier. Active or passive walloutlet assembly faceplates can be used.

The DC power injector capability includes an isolating device forisolating a first signal power booster and a second signal power boosterfrom one another. Turning now to FIG. 7, the DC power injector componentsub-system 260 includes a DC power injector component 262 formed on aprinted circuit board 264. It will be understood by those skilled in theart that terminal boards and discrete components such as resistors,capacitors, inductors, transistors and the like may be used on a printedcircuit board or other integrated circuits may be applied. It shouldalso be noted that terminal boards and discrete components may be wireddirectly to one another without using a printed circuit board withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The printed circuit board 264 includes a plurality of printed traceconductors 268 extending between components to form a signal path, asset forth in greater detail hereinafter. An array of signal inputelements 266 is provided for inputting wireless communications signalsinto the signal path and to the DC power injector component 262. Asecond array of input elements 272 is provided for input of the DC powersignals into the signal path and into the DC power injector component262. An array of output elements 270 is provided on the circuit board264 in electrical communication with the printed trace conductors toconclude the signal path from the wireless communication signal inputelements 266 to the signal output elements 270, via the DC powerinjector component 262.

One or more signals may be distributed over the printed circuit board264 by a signal distribution network formed from the printed traceconductors 268. The printed trace conductors 268 define the map of thecircuit including the spacing among components and provide a signal pathfrom the signal input elements 266 to the signal output elements 270.

The DC power injector component 262 includes a filter arrangement 274disposed on the printed circuit board 264 along the signal path and incommunication with the signal input elements 266 and output elements270. Filters 274 disposed inside the DC power injector component 262include a high frequency inductor or choke to isolate the wirelesscommunication signals from the DC power signals. At least one of thefilters may be a high pass filter. The filtered wireless communicationsignals are transmitted with the DC power signals over a cable to the atleast one active faceplate, as will be seen in greater detailhereinafter. TV injection is also inserted by input at the signal inputelements 266. A filtering mechanism contains cell signal from exitingthe system through the input location.

With reference to FIG. 8, the DC power injector component subsystem 260is integrated with the patch panel 116 on the wireless control portionof the system illustrated in FIG. 8. It should be noted that some of thesystem components may be disposed on the outside of a building asrepresented by a wall W as seen in FIG. 8.

With continued reference to FIG. 8, a system for distribution ofwireless communication signals is illustrated. There, a lightningprotection element 284 is disposed interiorly of the wall W. An antenna276 is provided for transmission and receipt of wireless communicationsignals and the antenna 276 is connected to the lightning protectionelement via cable 278. It should be noted while the antenna 276 is shownexternally to the building wall W, those skilled in the art willappreciate that the antenna 276 could be within the confines of thebuilding dependent on placement and construction and ultimately thestrength of any signals transmitted or received by the antenna 276. Thewireless communication signal is directed along its path through thelightning protection element 284 into the patch panel 116. The DC powerinjector subsystem 260 is disposed within the patch panel 116. In thatregard, DC power is introduced into the patch panel 116 from a powersupply (not shown) using wiring 282.

After the DC power signal is processed along with tare wirelesscommunication signal, both the DC power signal and the wirelesscommunication signal are transmitted along cabling 280 to an active wailoutlet assembly 112 for broadcast distribution of the wirelesscommunication signal. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat while the present illustration in FIG. 8 illustrates a signalactive wall outlet assembly 112, the present system is capable ofsupporting multiple faceplates dependent only on the availability oflocation, communication cable, and amplification.

In operation, wireless communication signals and DC power signals arrivesubstantially simultaneously for processing by the DC power injectorcomponent subsystem 260. DC power is directed from a power supply (notshown) though wiring 280 to the DC power input elements 266 disposed onthe printed circuit board 264, as seen in FIG. 7. Returning to FIG. 8,wireless communications signals enter the external antenna 276 and aredirected through a cable 278 to the lightning protection element 284.The external antenna 276 is illustrated in FIG. 8 as being outside awall W. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that theexternal antenna need not be external to the building housing thepresent system. The lightning protection element 284 directs thewireless signal to the patch panel 116 where it is in turn directed tothe DC power injector component 262 for continued processing includingfiltering and the introduction of the DC power signal into the signalpath.

Referring to FIG. 8, the output from the DC power injector component isdirected to the at least one active wall outlet assembly 112 through anoutput cable 280. From there, the combined wireless communication signaland DC power signal are distributed to a plurality of active wall outletassemblies 112, with the DC power serving the basic DC voltage needs ofthe faceplate and the wireless communication signal being transmittedusing the external broadcast antenna 390.

By the above, the present DC power injector component subsystem 360facilitates the combination of a wireless communication signal with a DCpower signal for common distribution to one or more active faceplates.The simultaneous signal transfer occurs without interference between theDC power signal and the wireless communication signal because of thefilters in the DC power injector component. Therefore, by the presentsystem, all of the DC operational power needs at the active faceplatesare satisfied by transmission of the DC power signal as power throughthe cable carrying the wireless communication signal, thereby savingadditional wiring and additional labor installing such additionalwiring.

With reference now to FIGS. 9 and 10, the active faceplate system can beenhanced with a television (TV) injector component capability, therebyallowing both cable TV signals and wireless communication signals to bepropagated along a wired cable TV distribution network. To that end, aplurality of active wall outlet assemblies 112 are operatively connectedto a patch panel 116 using a multi-cable distribution system which ispreferable formed using coaxial cable. This allows wirelesscommunications signals to be introduced and distributed over an existingextensive, multi-outlet cable TV installation, such as in a hotel orhospital, thereby saving the time and expense of installing anadditional cable network. A television (TV) injector componentsub-system 360 is operatively coupled to the patch panel 116, preferablyas a plug-in circuit board, as more fully explained below.

The TV injector component sub-system 360 includes a TV injectorcomponent 362 formed on a printed circuit board 364. It will beunderstood by those skilled in the art that terminal boards and discretecomponents such as resistors, capacitors, inductors, transistors and thelike may be used on a printed circuit board or other integrated circuitsmay be applied. It should also be noted that terminal boards anddiscrete components may be wired directly to one another without using aprinted circuit board without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

The printed circuit board 364 of the present invention includes an arrayof signal inputs 366 for introducing TV signals and wirelesscommunications signals into the TV injector to be transmitted to thewall outlet assemblies. One or more signals may be distributed over theprinted circuit board 364 as necessary by a signal distribution networkformed from printed trace conductors illustrated generally at 368. Theprinted trace conductors 368 define the map of the circuit including thespacing among components and provide a signal path from the signal inputelements 366 to the signal output elements 376.

The signal input elements 366 are arranged on the printed circuit board364 for receiving wireless communications signals as well as cable TVsignals for processing by the TV injector component 362. A first filtergroup 370 having low pass filters is disposed on the printed circuitboard 364 along the signal path in communication with the signal inputelements 366. The first filter group 370 permits cable TV (CATV) signalsto be passed to the wall outlet assemblies and eliminates the cable TVsignals that occur over the wireless protocol carrier frequencies. Atleast one of the filters of the first filter group 370 may be a low passfilter to eliminate cable TV signals above which there will beinterference with the wireless communication services. The filteredcable TV signals are distributed with the wireless communication signalsover the multi-cable distribution system as will be seen in greaterdetail hereinafter.

Another filter 372 is also disposed along the signal path across theprinted trace conductors 368 to prevent the cable TV signals from beingdirected into an operating band of a signal booster (not shown)associated with the wireless communications system. A tree-likearrangement of printed trace conductors are provided on the printedcircuit board 364 along the signal path to direct the filtered CATV andcombined wireless carrier signals to a plurality of output elements 376provided for signal distribution.

Turning now to FIG. 10, a system for distributing wireless communicationsignals in combination with cable TV signals is illustrated. There, thetelevision injector component subsystem 360 is seen to be integratedwith the patch panel 116 on the wireless control portion of the activefaceplate system illustrated therein. It should be noted that some ofthe system components are disposed on the outside of a building asrepresented by a wall W. Connection of the standard CATV system via anappropriate cable allows injection of wireless signals such thatwireless and CATV signals can now be provided at the wall outletassemblies.

For the wireless communication portion of the system, an externalantenna 380 is disposed on the outer portion of the wall W and isconnected to the remainder of the system using a cable 381 and, morespecifically, to a patch panel 116 for receipt of wireless communicationsignals for distribution. It should be noted that, while the antenna 380is shown externally to the building wall W, those skilled in the artwill appreciate that the antenna 380 could be within the confines of thebuilding dependent on placement and construction and ultimately thestrength of any signals receivable by the antenna 380 and transmittableby the patch panel 116. The lightning protection element 379 isconnected to the patch panel 116. The TV injector component subsystem362 is disposed within the patch panel 116. Distribution of the wirelesssignal is effected via the multi-cable distribution network 387 as willbe explained in greater detail hereinafter. Certain wall outletassemblies 112 are equipped with antennas 390 for broadcast distributionof the wireless communications signal with CATV signals simultaneously.

On the cable TV portion of the system, a cable TV amplifier 385 receivesa signal from outside the wall W on cable 384. The cable TV amplifier385 amplifies the signal as necessary for multiple distribution andsends the signal to a splitter 386 that splits the signal into multiplesignals for distribution along a multi-cable distribution network 387 toindividual active face plates 112. Cable TV signals are available at theactive face plates 112 with an associated cable jack 389.

The cable TV system is interconnected with the wireless communicationsystem using an input cable 382 extending from the splitter to the patchpanel 116. The combined cable TV signal and wireless communicationsignal as processed by the TV injector component subsystem 360 isdistributed to the cable distribution network 387 over cable 383extending between the patch panel 116 and the distribution network 387.

In operation, wireless communication signals and cable TV signals arrivesubstantially simultaneously for processing by the television injectorcomponent subsystem. Wireless communications signals enter an externalantenna 380 and are directed through a cable 381 to a patch panel 116.The patch panel 116 directs the wireless signal to the televisioninjector component 362 for continued processing.

A TV cable signal arrives at the building wall W and is directed throughcoaxial cables 384 in to a cable TV amplifier 385. The cable TVamplifier 385 amplifies the incoming cable signal so that it will bestrong enough after distribution for normal use. The cable signal isdirected to a cable TV splitter 386 and from there it is directed to theCDC using a coaxial cable 382. The signal from the cable TV splitter 386is directed through the input elements 366 as seen in FIG. 9 for furtherprocessing by the filters 370, 372 before distribution.

Referring again to FIG. 10, the output from the TV injector componentsubsystem MO is directed to the cable distribution system 387 through anoutput cable 383. From there, the combined wireless communication signaland TV cable signal are distributed to a plurality of active wail outletassemblies 112, each of which may be equipped with either a cable TVjack 389, an external broadcast antenna 390, or both.

By the above, the present TV injector component subsystem 360facilitates the combination of a wireless communication signal with acable TV signal for common distribution on a building's pre-existingcable distribution network. By operation of the TV signal injectorcomponent, the simultaneous signal transfer occurs without crosstalkbetween the wireless communication signal and the TV cable signal.

From the foregoing description of one embodiment of the invention, itwill be apparent that many modifications may be made therein. It will beunderstood that this embodiment of the invention is an exemplificationof the invention only and that the invention is not limited thereto.

What is claimed:
 1. A transmission system for distributing a combinationof transmitted signals within a building structure via a commontransmission path, the system comprising: at least one wall outletassembly receiving a plurality of transmitted signals within thebuilding structure, said plurality of transmitted signals comprising atleast one wireless bridging signal and a task signal transmittedsimultaneously via the common transmission path; at least a firstdiplexer connected to said wall outlet assembly, said diplexer dividingsaid bridging signal into uplink and downlink channels for transmissionto and from the building structure; and a first amplifier connected tosaid first diplexer, said amplifier boosting uplink and downlink signalstrengths for establishing communications in an appropriate directionvia said common transmission path.
 2. A transmission system according toclaim 1, wherein said wall outlet assembly receives a second wirelessbridging signal via the common transmission path.
 3. A transmissionsystem according to claim 2, wherein said wall outlet assembly comprisesa second diplexer such that first and second wireless bridging signalsare divided into respective uplink and downlink channels by respectivefirst and second diplexers.
 4. A transmission system according to claim3, wherein said wall outlet assembly comprises a second amplifierconnected to said second diplexer for boosting uplink and downlinksignal strengths of the second wireless bridging signal.
 5. Atransmission system according to claim 1, wherein said wall outletassembly further comprises an antenna for sending and receiving wirelesssignals within the building structure.
 6. A transmission systemaccording to claim 1, further comprising a distribution modulecommunication with said first wall outlet assembly, said distributionmodule directing the bridging signal to the building structure via thecommon transmission path.
 7. A transmission system according to claim 6,wherein said distribution module further comprises a power injector fortransmitting a power signal from said distribution module to said firstwall outlet assembly.
 8. A transmission system according to claim 7,wherein said distribution module further comprises filters for isolatingsaid power signal from said bridging signal.
 9. A transmission systemaccording to claim 8 wherein said filters comprise high frequencychokes.
 10. A transmission system according to claim 6, furthercomprising a first antenna connected to said wall outlet assembly fordirecting transmitted signals to and from said wall outlet assembly andan external antenna connected to said distribution module for directingtransmitted signals to and from said distribution module.
 11. Atransmission system according to claim 10, wherein said commontransmission path comprises either coaxial or twisted pair cabling andsaid wall unit adapter further comprises a conduit stem connecting saidfirst antenna to said cabling.
 12. A transmission system forsimultaneously distributing multiple transmitted signals within abuilding structure along a common transmission path, said transmissionsystem comprising: a first distribution module receiving at least onebridging signal and directing the bridging signal to and from thebuilding structure along a transmission path, said distribution modulecomprising a power injector component for transmitting a power signalsimultaneously with said bridging signal via said common transmissionpath; at least one wall outlet assembly positioned proximate thebuilding structure and receiving said bridging signal and said powersignal from said distribution module; at least a first diplexerconnected to said wall outlet assembly, said diplexer dividing saidbridging signal into uplink and downlink channels for transmission toand from the building structure; and a first amplifier connected to saidfirst diplexer, said amplifier boosting uplink and downlink signalstrengths for establishing communications in an appropriate directionvia said common transmission path.
 13. A transmission system accordingto claim 12, wherein said transmission system comprises additionaldistribution modules arranged sequentially from said first distributionmodule, said additional distribution modules comprising sub-circuitry toautomatically attenuate radio frequency power transmitted to saidadditional distribution modules.
 14. A transmission system according toclaim 12, wherein said first distribution module further comprises anarray of signal input elements for receiving multiple wireless bridgingsignals and an array of output elements for directing said multiplewireless bridging signals to said at least one wall outlet assembly. 15.A transmission system according to claim 12, wherein said power injectorcomponent comprises a filter to isolate said bridging signals from saidpower signal.
 16. A transmission system for distributing wirelesscommunications signals within a building structure via a pre-existingcable television transmission path in the building, the transmissionsystem comprising: a distribution module receiving at least one wirelessbridging signal and at least one television signal; at least one walloutlet assembly connected to said distribution module via a televisionsignal transmission cable, wherein said transmission cable transmitssaid at least one bridging signal simultaneously with said at least onetelevision signal from said distribution module to said wall outletassembly, said wall outlet assembly comprising at least a first diplexerconnected to said wall outlet assembly, said diplexer dividing saidbridging signal into uplink and downlink channels for transmission toand from the building structure and a first amplifier connected to saidfirst diplexer, said amplifier boosting uplink and downlink signalstrengths for establishing communications in an appropriate directionvia said television signal transmission cable; wherein said distributionmodule comprises a filter preventing the television signal from beingdirected into an operating band of the uplink and downlink channels. 17.A transmission system according to claim 16, wherein said wall outletassembly comprises a television signal jack, a broadcast antenna, orboth.
 18. A transmission system according to claim 16 further comprisinga splitter for directing the television signal to a plurality of walloutlet assemblies along with a respective bridging signal.
 19. Atransmission system according to claim 16 further comprising a firstantenna connected to said wall outlet assembly for directing saidbridging signal to and from said wall outlet assembly and an externalantenna connected to said distribution module for directing bridgingsignals to and from said distribution module.
 20. A transmission systemaccording to claim 16, wherein said distribution module furthercomprises an array of signal input elements for receiving multiplewireless bridging signals and an array of output elements for directingsaid multiple wireless bridging signals to said at least one wall outletassembly.